I have been pondering this topic for a while and recently received a comment on one of my videos rebuking me for teaching as a woman. Normally, I don’t respond or concern myself with these types of comments, however, right after that a really good friend of mine, texted me with questions about 1 Timothy 2 – women teaching in church. So, I believe the Lord wants me dig in to this topic.
1 TIMOTHY 2
In 1 Timothy 2, the apostle Paul is writing to Timothy, who was sent to Ephesus to confront problems in the church.
I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness – with good works. Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 1 Timothy 2:8-14
DIFFERENT INTERPRETATIONS
Some scholars believe that Paul’s rebuke is only towards the women of Ephesus. This is a common interpretation of this scripture. However, this interpretation has never been sufficient for me. Especially, because the text doesn’t specify it was only for Ephesus. Additionally, if we look at 1 Corinthians 11, we can see similar language echoed as in 1 Timothy 2.
But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven. For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head. For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 1 Corinthians 11:3-10
This scripture is extremely confusing if we don’t look at the bigger picture. In most modern, Christian churches, we don’t even consider head coverings anymore. And, before I give a little testimony, I want to discuss the ‘because of the angels’ part of the scripture. From my research it appears to be a reference to the fallen angels, who lusted after women back in Genesis 6:2. The sons of God saw that the women were attractive, which may be why covering the hair is important.
TESTIMONY
When I began writing this article, I had tons of different statistics and research that I had done on this topic, but it just didn’t feel right. I think the Lord just wants me to share my heart on this, which honestly I never really thought I would do in public. First, I want to share some important highlights from that research regarding head coverings.
Did you know that there was a Resolution on Head Coverings done in 1968 pushed by the National Organization of Women? It encouraged religious women of ALL churches to publicly burn their veils as a response to what they believe was enslavement of women. In fact, wearing a head covering was much more common before then. Although, in the early 1900s, women more frequently wore stylish hats.
Many of us think of certain denominations when it comes to head coverings, such as Catholic, Amish or Mennonite. But I believe this Resolution effected a wide range religious organizations, including the modern church. This Resolution was most likely done as a response to discrimination and abuse towards women. However, it’s heartbreaking that this movement may have altered our current view on covering the head in church.
R.C. SPROUL
One way the enemy tries to destroy us, is to slowly make us question or misunderstand the Word of God. Sadly, many scriptures have been minimized or misinterpreted over time. Could this be happening to the scriptures related to the order of authority?
The theologian R.C. Sproul, wrote a little book called Knowing Scripture. In his reasoning about women’s head coverings, as laid out in 1 Corinthians 11, he explained that while this topic is ‘exceedingly complex’, we should not be so quick to overlook it. Mr. Sproul concludes that just because culture tells us we no longer need to wear head coverings doesn’t necessarily mean it is God’s will.
O Lord, my Lord, the strength of my salvation, You have covered my head in the day of battle. Psalm 140:7
I realize that I am not currently wearing a head covering, nor have I worn one in church…yet. I am still pondering this topic. Interestingly, the Lord called me to wear a veil over my hair, a couple years ago, during my nightly prayer time with Him. I am still trying to understand His will on covering the head. Am I the only one? Are there ladies out there who are being stirred up by the Lord on this as well?
FLESH OF MY FLESH
The order of authority was not intended to oppress men nor women. The scripture, in 1 Corinthians 11, continues on to clarify that a man and woman are one. A man is not to treat a woman shamefully nor the woman to treat a man shamefully. They are one, under God.
Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God. 1 Corinthians 11:11-12
THE AUTHORITY STRUCTURE
I think it is important to note, that we live in a world of sin. Many of us have a difficult time understanding God’s true design for our families because we have experienced family abuse or dysfunction. It’s hard to imagine how it could be different. However, abuse and dysfunction are not what God wants. Let’s look at the order of authority that God set up. In Ephesians 5, we get a little better idea of how God wants families to function.
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, His body, and is Himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.
Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word. Ephesians 5:22-26
Husbands are to love their wives with a sacrificial type love. Wives are to respect their husbands. This is intended to be a reflection of how Jesus has sacrificial love for His church. The church, in turn, has a deep reverence (respect) for the Lord.
MEN HAVE THE HARDER POSITION
I think it’s also important to stress that men take on more responsibility in God’s design. They are called by Jesus to be the head and to lay down their lives for their wives and families. They are, in a sense, the front line in the battle, protecting them. If we look at the early church, all the apostles were men and most likely those leading the churches were men. But they were also the ones who were killed.
IN THE BEGINNING
If we look at the scripture from 1 Timothy 2 and 1 Corinthians 11 again, they both mention creation of man and woman/Adam and Eve. Why? Why would Saint Paul feel he needed to bring up the beginning/creation? After praying on this, I felt the Lord opened the scriptures to me and I could see a different perspective. The real question should be ‘why didn’t Eve consult with Adam, BEFORE she took the fruit’. If this is the order of things – God, Husband, Wife, Children – then why did the serpent come after Eve and not Adam? The enemy knew that if he could mess up the order of authority, he could do some real damage.
Eve didn’t ask Adam, ‘Should we take of the fruit?’ She did not give him an opportunity to correct the situation beforehand. It also doesn’t make sense that Adam appeared to be right there watching and didn’t oppose. Even after Eve decided to commit the sin, Adam ate as well.
So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. Genesis 3:6
DEBORAH – THE PROPHETESS
Leadership in the home and church direct the path of the future of that home and church. This can also be said of a nation – the leadership will definitely influence its direction. In fact, in the book of Judges and throughout our Bibles we see how corrupt kings and leadership lead people to sin, over and over again.
So how do we interpret the true role of women in the Bible, if women are indeed not to teach in church, then what about all the situations where a woman taught or lead in the Bible? There are many examples of women leading in scripture, like the prophetess Deborah in Judges 4 and 5. Deborah arose during a turbulent time.
Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. Judges 21:25
In the story of Deborah, she summoned Barak into battle to deliver the people who had been oppressed by corrupt leadership. Deborah addressed herself as wife, but was also a judge and directed the people.
The villagers ceased in Israel; they ceased to be until I arose; I, Deborah, arose as a mother in Israel. Judges 5:7
Deborah was not the only woman in the story. Jael actually delivered the deadly blow to the army commander of the corrupt king. Women play a significant role for God in history, then and now. Are mothers arising right now, in a time when everyone is doing what is right in their own eyes?
Can you see how the enemy is disrupting God’s design for family right now? Can you see his agenda being pushed on God’s people? It is so important that we object to the dismantling of God’s design.
WHO IS WILLING?
From my experience so far, I have found that God calls the willing, not the qualified. Before I do videos I always run my video by my husband, my father and a close friend of mine before anyone else sees it. My husband lives by my side and knows my obsession with the Word and how dedicated I am to the Lord. However, if my husband were to say, he didn’t like something, I would want to honor that as his wife. Thankfully, he knows the Lord and knows my devotion to what God has called me to do. We ALL have direct access to Jesus, when we abide in Him.
We also know, head covering or not, God looks at the heart. If I didn’t do what the Lord called me to do, I would be in disobedience to God. Many women are called to teach, preach and speak. If this is the Lord’s will, He will make it so and bless it. However, teaching, preaching and speaking, should not undermine a man or his authority. Should women be wearing head coverings when praying, teaching or preaching in church? I’m not sure, but I think we should be having conversations about it. Let us not be offended by the Word, let’s dig in and start the conversation.
For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7
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